Welcome to Afronerd!
A new and needed web sanctuary for people of color with intellectual and artistic pursuits. In this blog we will be addressing interesting and varied subjects, i.e. current national/world affairs, culture, science, religion, politics, entertainment and literature(including graphic novels a/k/a comic books.....yes comics). We hope you enjoy the exchange of ideas.
Peace & Godspeed.

Mission

Welcome to Afronerd! A new and needed web sanctuary for people of color with intellectual and artistic pursuits. In this blog we will be addressing interesting and varied subjects, i.e. current national/world affairs, culture, science, religion, politics, entertainment and literature(including graphic novels a/k/a comic books.....yes comics). We hope you enjoy the exchange of ideas. Peace & Godspeed

Monday, July 27, 2009

Let's go a little bit of brevity this time-check out our Comic Shoppe broadcast, tomorrow at 7pm ET when Daryll, Max and Dburt discuss the following pulp oriented matters: news coming out of the '09 San Diego Comic Con; according to AintitCoolNews.com, a Kong prequel may be in the works (sans director, Peter Jackson); Smallville news as it enters its 9th season; our thoughts concerning Denzel Washington's latest sci-fi thriller, Book of Eli; a Dark Knight sequel?(you knew that was coming!) and lastly, our favorite graphic novel reads from the previous week. So join us Tuesday and feel free to drop us a line at-646-200-0104 or via email/IM-thecomicshoppe@yahoo.com. Make Mine the Comic Shoppe! Oh and take a gander at Mr. Washington's Book of Eli trailer:

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Well from the emails that we have received thus far, it appears that a great many of our faithful listeners/readers are chomping at the bit to hear Team Afronerd weigh in on this latest racially tinged scandal. And guess what? Your wish is our command! So, again.....let's keep this simple and concise, stop by AfronerdRadio.com, tomorrow at 7pm (ET) to hear Mr. Starks and yours truly discuss the following: a complete and unfettered analysis of Dr. Gates' arrest and President Obama's ill-fated involvement; our opinions of African-American commentating in the media (i.e. why does Nick Cannon speak like that?); our take on CNN's Black in America 2; another episode of Mr. Starks' Tales of Suspense and much much more. In the interim, watch this next clip, submitted for your approval.....it's an interview w/CNN's Soledad O'Brien concerning her Black in America special:

You guys (and gals) know the drill-call in with your comments and questions at 646-915-9620 or via IM/email-afronerdradio@yahoo.com. Imperius Rex, folks!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Sometimes I really try not to be the voice of moderation but it just seems to be unavoidable. Case in point-the arrest of esteemed Harvard academic, Henry Louis "Skip" Gates. We have made overtures to Dr. Gates to come in for an Afronerd Radio interview as I thought his work on unraveling the mystery of African-American genealogy is not only necessary but commendable. I always suspected that he was more on the progressive side of the political aisle but I have forever remained focused on his more scholarly efforts. I'm not sure of what to make of his arrest for what essentially appears to be a grave misunderstanding. Was it a case of celebrity hubris on his part? Or are we talking about overzealous law enforcement. I believe the truth lies squarely in the center. But don't take my word for it.....let's see what the Washington Examiner denotes:

BOSTON – Supporters of a prominent Harvard University black scholar who was arrested at his own home by police responding to a report of a break-in say he is the victim of racial profiling.

Henry Louis Gates Jr. had forced his way through the front door of his home because it was jammed, his lawyer said Monday.

Cambridge police say they responded to the well-maintained two-story home near campus after a woman reported seeing "two black males with backpacks on the porch," with one "wedging his shoulder into the door as if he was trying to force entry."

By the time police arrived, Gates was already inside. Police say he refused to come outside to speak with an officer, who told him he was investigating a report of a break-in.

"Why, because I'm a black man in America?" Gates said, according to a police report written by Sgt. James Crowley. The Cambridge police refused to comment on the arrest Monday.

Gates — the director of Harvard's W.E.B. Du Bois Institute for African and African American Research — initially refused to show the officer his identification, but then gave him a Harvard University ID card, according to police.

"Gates continued to yell at me, accusing me of racial bias and continued to tell me that I had not heard the last of him," the officer wrote.

The operative word, folks is compliance. This is not to say that the police were above board either but depending on whose side you believe, if Dr. Gates remained calm and just complied, perhaps this would have been chalked up as a minor inconvenience. And then of course, there are the racist commenters in related articles adding grease to the kitchen fire. Fortunately, it appears charges against Dr. Gates have been dropped:

Actually, before I submit my two cents on the Black in America 2 series, let's take a look at Mr. Chris Chambers' (of the Nat Turner's Revenge blog) take on the CNN effort. Here's an excerpt of his pre-screening experience, courtesy of The Retort:

So now what did the safe crowd see in Part I (and what will they see in what I digested from Part II airing 7/23 at 8pm; preview courtest of CNN's press DVDs)? Nothing weak, meek or bleak. Just safe. But here are some highlights...not-so-safe, powerful journalism to savor:

* Dr. Lisa Newman’s sights and reflections during her expedition to Ghana, a reverse-, or rather anti-Middle Passage exploration, to discover the genetic cause and fix for triple negative breast cancer (TNBC).

* The physical ordeal and spiritual odyssey of Dr. Newman’s patient, an educated, fairly well off suburban Detroit mother named Dawn Spencer, and joyful, hype-less volunteerism of the African American breast cancer group Sisters Network.

* The apparent self-immolation of Project Choice graduate and ex-con Chris Shurn, and the eerie foreshadowing tour he gives of his old home, an empty “Dogtown” in Oakland, California.

* Everett Highbaugh of Project Choice, fretting over young Brian Hall’s lack of a plan. But sometimes having the plan isn’t enough.

After a brief hiatus, The Comic Shoppe is open for business! Keeping it succinct this time....Max, Daryll and yours truly will discuss and/or pontificate on the following: our impressions of DC's latest big event series, The Blackest Night; the latest news regarding Geoff Johns producing and writing a Flash film; an analysis of Harry Potter's $300 million worldwide take for the first week!; Ryan Reynolds and Natalie Portman as Green Lantern and Jane Foster, respectively and lastly, our favorite graphic novel reads from the last few weeks. So drop us a line "live" via phone-(646) 200-0104 or email/IM-thecomicshoppe@yahoo.com. Imperius Rex, folks!

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Again, let's keep it simple-Join Mr. Starks and yours truly tomorrow at 7pm eastern to discuss the following: based on a earlier conversation I had with Mr. Starks, let's address Black imagery (or the lack thereof) in fantasy/sci-fi films (or ode to a Harry Potter-Black); a horrific NJ shootout leaves two officers fighting for their lives and two suspects dead a la Bonnie & Clyde style; can Blacks and Whites exchange heroes (or should they?) ; a new Mr. Starks' segment entitled Ironman's Tales of Suspense (aka Close Encounters with the Lower Tier) ; and if time permits, we'll squeeze in an analysis of President Obama's historic NAACP speech from the 14th:

As well as the return of this fellow.....comedian, Dave Chappelle:

Dave Chappelle at Pioneer Square

So you guys know the routine-call in with your questions/comments at 646-915-9620 or via email/IM-afronerdradio@yahoo.com. Excelsior, folks!

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Perhaps this latest documentary entitled Whitewash, will serve as a metaphor for America's exposure to the "wave" of information that allegedly is antithetical to Blackness. That's my highfalutin way of saying that Black folks are (and have been) doing things.....like surfing. While cyber-perusing the halls of okayplayer.com (the official website for the progressive hip hop band, The Roots) I came across this trailer which encapsulates the struggles of Black surfers and their attempt to gain recognition in a sport traditionally associated with White Californians. Just another example of our need to fight that monolithic box, folks! Let's keep fighting the good fight! Any thoughts?

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

I didn't mean to harass famed Howard Stern Show producer, Gary Dell'abate for hisfirst pitch, but unfortunately, he will forever serve as a testament for what notables should not do when given the honor to throw out the first pitch. And now for your daily dish of race baiting, courtesy of the Free Republic blog....check out this next report:

A truly horrible story of vitriol being thrown at a young girl. As our readers/radio listeners know, we do not sip the conservative juice wholeheartedly. We will call out fellow republicans for inappropriate and racist behavior just as consistently when it comes from the left side of the aisle (and trust us...they do). I first heard about the Malia Obama t-shirt debacle from the Booker Rising blog and as expected Booker's writer, Shay Riley in like fashion confronted the Free Republic site. Unfortunately, Shay's exchange with the site got ugly....check it out for yourselves:

What are your thoughts on this folks? Comparisons will undoubtedly be made with the treatment of Sarah Palin's children, but is it a fair assertion? I do not remember the Palin kids having to deal with racially tinged assualts.....again, what say you?

I have been an ardent supporter of Dr. Pinkett since his televised win on the fourth season of The Apprentice. I also believe that for someone as accomplished as Pinkett (a holder of five academic degrees, business owner and Rhodes scholar...and still not yet 40) he was virtually neglected by the media (both Black and White versions) for unknown reasons. One can, of course, surmise why Dr. Pinkett was persona non grata-a young, bright, articulate and especially non-stereotypical Black person just doesn't seem to satiate the public's appetite for African-American pathology.....I guess. Now we're in the post Obama era and it appears that Pinkett has found his moment in the sun. According to the latest news reports, the good doctor may have a shot at being an apprentice of another sort-New Jersey lieutenant governor. For more on this developing story, take a gander at this excerpt from the Associated Press:

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — "Apprentice" winner Randal Pinkett may be auditioning for a different role: New Jersey lieutenant governor.

Pinkett's name is among those being floated for the No. 2 spot on the Democratic gubernatorial ticket. If chosen from a narrowing list of contenders, Pinkett would apprentice under Gov. Jon Corzine, the incumbent seeking re-election.

Corzine campaign spokesman Patrick McKenna said no decision has been made.

Running mates must be named by July 27.

President Barack Obama is due to campaign with Corzine in New Jersey on Thursday, fueling speculation that he or GOP challenger Chris Christie could announce their picks by then. Christie's campaign deferred comment.

This is the first New Jersey election to include lieutenant governor candidates. The Legislature created the post in 2005 after the abrupt resignation of Gov. Jim McGreevey in the wake of a gay affair, making New Jersey the 44th state with a second-in-command.

With Corzine dragging in early polls, Pinkett's named has emerged as an out-of-the-box pick with the potential to energize the crucial African American base. Pinkett is African American.

"Corzine's preference here indicates how important African American voters are going to be in this election," said Brigid C. Harrison, a political science professor at Montclair State University. "Obama and an African American on the ticket gives those African American voters who voted last year a reason to come back out to the polls."

Obama carried all but a fraction of New Jersey's black vote in the last election.

Pinkett certainly possesses the academic heft to run with Team Obama and we wish him godspeed and luck. Now if only my team would discard hope with the likes of Sarah Palin and push for intellectual competence over pablum and hype. For more of the Pinkett story, click on the link below:

A hat tip and Afronerd No-prize goes to Sergio Mims of Ebony/Jet Online and the Shadow & Act blog for emailing this next story to our attention. In the spirit of full disclosure, I had a conversation with Mr. Starks concerning this NIGAZ controversy over it's relative importance. The conclusion was that there are so many other stories of Black pathology, perhaps a Nigerian petro company called NIGAZ is just an aggregate of the foolishness that allows the naming of this outfit to be negligible by comparison. You decide. For the specifics, check out this excerpt, courtesy of the BBC News online:

A marketing blunder in Nigeria has got online communities all of a twitter, after a joint oil and gas venture with Russia was named Nigaz.

Russia's Gazprom and Nigeria's state-operated NNPC formed the company - pronounced "nye-gaz" - last week.

Nigerians No Nigaz, a group formed on the social networking site Facebook, says the name could be pronounced in a way offensive to black people.

Users of Twitter have also expressed disbelief at the decision.

"Russian & Nigerian companies have formed new oil firm called... Nigaz. I'm not lying," says Osa Oyegun, under her Twitter name ChocolateMezzo.

The topic has prompted hundreds of tweets.

Henry Makiwa, known as makiwahenry, said: "Lol [laugh out loud] of the day: Russian/Nigerian oil conglomerate has had PR branding blunder after naming joint company 'Nigaz'."

'Bright moment'

Correspondents say despite the hoo-ha caused online, newspapers in Nigeria have not picked up on the story yet.

Again, folks is this controversy hinged on the acronym being lost in translation? The pronunciation is different and as noted, the story hasn't been picked up in Nigeria....yet. Any thoughts? Click on the link below for more of this debacle:

Thursday, July 09, 2009

Let's keep it simple shall we? Join Mr. Starks and Dburt this Sunday at 7pm to discuss the following: our final impressions of Michael Jackson and more specifically, Tuesday's memorial; more on former NFL quarterback, Steve McNair's murder-now confirmed to be at the hands of his mistress (as well as the racially tinged comments in this blog and other sites concerning their pairing); President Obama appears to be getting renewed accusations of an alleged lack of Black cultural authenticity because of his measured support for GLBT rights; further analysis of the Cosby-esque/conservative bent of Afronerd and how our philosophy may not be for everybody; a story of real life tomb raiding at a historic Chicago area Black cemetery where Emmett Till is buried and lastly, a new educational program geared toward boys of color with the hope of routing out the subcultural pathologies that disproportionately afflict them:

So as always, feel free to call in with your questions and comments at: 646-915-9620 or via email/IM-afronerdradio@yahoo.com. And in the immortal words of one of my heroes, Rev. Adam Clayton Powell Jr.......Keep the faith, baby!

Tuesday, July 07, 2009

Okay, I'm back just to give you my final thoughts on Michael Jackson and Tuesday's historic memorial service. It took me a few days to wrestle with my thoughts on this tragedy as it touches on a variety of issues from a cultural perspective. I, like many Americans was saddened by the passing of Jackson but perhaps for different reasons. As a self-described afronerd, I can appreciate and actually welcome a certain degree of eccentricity from cultural phenoms and private individuals alike-but the King of Pop went above and beyond the pale in weird behavior....literally and figuratively. He should be respected and placed among the pantheon of other notable cultural greats as time moves forward but he should also be used as a cautionary tale for those who pursue fame at the cost of sanity and racial identity. It has often been said that we are losing our young men of color to violence and poor health. I suspect that reality still stands but the overreaching truth in these matters is a lot more basic.......unfettered ignorance is really the culprit when it comes to the premature death of many of our Black/Brown youth. If the Jackson family inculcated a greater sense of comfort with Black identity and allowed their children to pursue education with the same vigor as entertainment, who knows what Michael Jackson could have ultimately become. Unfortunately wealth and ignorance make for a deadly elixir-just check out our current rap stars for further edification. There are just too many examples of squandered potential in communities of color and until someone speaks up, we will continue to see dreams deferred. So we are left with a confusing figure who should have had it all but without a sane mind, it was all for nought. Rest in peace, Mr. Jackson-hopefully all the madness and confusion that you were forced to bear are no longer your albatross.

Monday, July 06, 2009

Funny, how statements are repeated as fact for decades (dare I say eons) and upon further investigation, what was once thought to be accurate is simply not true. Even the title of my entry is not really true....the Joe Friday character from the Dragnet series never actually uttered the phrase, "Just the facts." It was the Stan Freberg parody of Dragnet, St. George and the Dragonet, when the famous statement is actually used....but I digress. Unfortunately, I have another example of an inaccuracy coming from one of my favorite blogs, Booker Rising. Rising, which is helmed by pundit/blogger, Shay Riley is an excellent resource for news and commentary coming from a much needed Black conservative bent. I definitely consider Ms. Riley a colleague in the struggle to present alternative political (and cultural) thought to the so-called monolithic Black community. But....(you knew this was coming) I was disappointed by a recent post (although it was a self-described "politically incorrect rant"....still) where Riley pontificates on the death of former NFL quarterback, Steve McNair. Here's a excerpt from the diatribe in question:

"The signs seem to be pointing to a murder-suicide by Ms. Kazemi. It may be impolite for me to point out some stuff in this sad tale, seeing how ol' boy unfortunately just died yesterday. However, I gotta tell it like it is: black men, black men, your lustful choice to chase tail - especially non-black tail - has been the downfall for too many of you. Jack Johnson, O.J. Simpson, Steve McNair, need I gone on? Especially when y'all get famous, y'all too often have these double standards where a black woman has to damn near perfect....but you'll trick with any ol' thing off the street - lack of quality, not bringing anything to the table, or mental state be damned - if she's non-black.

I see the media is calling Ms. Kazemi a “friend”, while the police "explore" what relationship they had. Puhleeze! Not much exploration needs to be done. Ms. Kazemi was his jumpoff. Mr. McNair does not visit a female "friend" at 1am and stay. He does not take vacations with a female "friend"...with his family nowhere in sight. Mr. McNair was chopping Ms. Kazemi down on the regular and taking away from his wife and kids to break her off. He set his jumpoff up in that condo. Oh yeah, and bought a black Cadillac Escalade for her…the same car where she got stopped for a DUI - while he was in the passenger seat – just three days ago). Apparently, they had some disagreement recently. Given her ex-boyfriend's statements, perhaps Ms. Kazemi was upset that he wouldn’t leave his wife and felt he was stringing her along."

I think Ms. Riley has fallen prey to the tired Black female stereotype of having anger and/or angst toward interracial liaisons involving Black men. Don't get me wrong-I would never make excuses for a male that decides to traipse around on his wife or bring dishonor to his family. But the constant reference to tribalism in her protestation......his Black wife and his Iranian girlfriend or allusions to non-Black women being the reason for the downfall of Black men of means is a specious if not over worn argument. Riley's critique reminds me of the Angela Bassett scene from Waiting to Exhale when her character was more perturbed about the color of her husband's mistress than about the infidelity. What if McNair's paramour were an Iranian man? These are the times that we are living in and one must wrestle with the absurdity of it all. Can we please deal with the facts and not the emotion? In this day and age why does knowledge of the woman's ethnicity (aren't Muslims America's new n%@ggas,anyway?) seem to give some Black women that extra burn in these matters? Another caveat in this issue (in the eyes of some Black women) also relies on the male being a high profile and successful person of color. Perhaps these so-called "ballers" should stop being viewed as the ultimate prize for Black women. May be looking at a man's moral bank account might be of greater value than his financial status-just ask our First Lady. What say you, folks? Am I wrong on this? A quarter (adjusted for inflation) for your thoughts.

Saturday, July 04, 2009

To quote the late Mr. Jackson (damn, it's weird to say that...) it's time to make a change, folks! In the ensuing weeks, Mr. Starks and I will turn up the proverbial Bunsen burner and give you hotter music and more biting commentary. Stop by tomorrow at the usual time (7pm eastern) to ask questions or provide your own commentary as Team Afronerd discuss the following: the debacle/coonfest referred to as the BET awards 2009...Stepin Fetchit would have been proud; our belated opinions of the Black blogosphere; more observations centering around Michael Jackson's death; impressions of CNN's sequel to last year's Black in America series and lastly two very divergent views on First Lady, Michelle Obama's status as a role model for Black females. Here's a preview:

An excerpt from Howard Kurtz' Washington Post piece-

Finally the first lady emerged, read a short speech about releasing federal stimulus money for community health clinics -- including $2.5 million for the Northwest Washington center -- and greeted a handpicked audience with handshakes and hugs. Then she turned and left, and the press pool quietly filed out.

Rachel Swarns of the New York Times and The Washington Post's Robin Givhan were among those herded behind the rope Monday. They and the other main beat reporters -- Newsweek's Allison Samuels, Darlene Superville of the Associated Press and Politico's Nia-Malika Henderson -- have something in common: They are all African American women.

Perhaps this gives them a richer cultural understanding of Obama as a trailblazer. Indeed, most write with enthusiasm, in some cases even admiration, about the first lady as a long-awaited role model for black women.

"Without a doubt, I identify with her as a brown-skinned African American woman," Samuels says. "Now we have Michelle and see her as a mother, a lawyer, a wife, and she's doing it fabulously." Samuels got to interview Obama during the campaign and "we had a girlfriend-to-girlfriend moment. We did connect."

But if their bosses hoped these staffers would receive special access, some secret-handshake entry into the East Wing -- or even a casual wave at a health clinic -- they were mistaken, at least thus far. None of the beat writers has been granted an interview since the inauguration. Instead, they must piece together a mosaic from glimpses of Obama, who has a limited public schedule and a staff that fiercely guards her privacy and her image. (Other reporters, of varied ethnicities, dip in and out of writing about the first lady.)

And then there's the counter argument from conservative writer for the New Majority, Crystal Wright-

Finally, what annoyed me the most was the way most of the black women covering the White House beat suggested ALL black women are alike--as if we come from the same background, socio-economic group, education and experience. Well, we don’t and neither do whites, Asians, Hispanics or any other group. As a black woman, I don’t refer to my black girlfriends as “sisters.” I never have and never will.

Allison Samuels, Newsweek’s East Wing reporter, noted that “Michelle has the power to change the way African Americans see ourselves, our lives and our possibilities… There are still woefully few examples of solid, stable black marriages.” WHAT!?! I think Samuels should speak for herself and not lump all black women into this fictional statement. Growing up as kid, all my black friends came from intact, solid upper middle class marriages. Our parents were judges, lawyers, doctors, governors (yes!) and more. Many of us went to private school, vacationed abroad, went to elite colleges. The Cosby Show wasn’t new to us--it represented our families.

Politico’s Nia-Malika Henderson wrote: “African-American women say she’ll upend age-old stereotypes of the angry black woman who can’t find a good man, or keep him when she does.” Again, I didn’t grow up with angry black women; Henderson perpetuates the idea that blacks are a monolithic cultural group riddled with bad behaviors.

I’m so tired of these stereotypes: The East Wing press corps needs to cover the first lady objectively and not make their personal black experience part of the coverage or, worse, turn it into a sweeping generalization of every black woman’s experience. We’re not all “brown-skinned” women who identify with Michelle Obama on a “girl-friend to girl-friend” level. Get over it and report the news.

Suffice it to say, Sunday's show is not the one to miss. Feel free to call us with your thoughts at 646-915-9620 or via email/IM-afronerdradio@yahoo.com. And to refer to the respective articles in their entirety, click on the links below: